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Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..

Are you ready for a power outage?

It seems to me like PSE is more interested in its image than the plight of its customers when there’s a power outage.

The report had comments such as hiring about 20 photographers to post photos on Flickr significantly increased customer goodwill; approaching the media proactively allowed PSE to “own” the story: and having executives available resulted in more positive news stories.

PSE also plans to rely even more heavily in future outages on social media to inform customers and the media on what’s happening and when power will be restored, the report said. This won’t help me. Like many people, when the power goes out, I don’t have access to the Internet.

When I complained on Facebook about PSE’s service – my power has gone out six times since the 2012 snowstorm – a Facebook friend who works for PSE told me to stop complaining and get ready for power outages every winter. She said we live where there are big trees that fall on the power lines during storms, so we’re going to have power outages.

With that advice in mind, here are the steps I’ve taken to be prepared:

An emergency, battery-operated radio.

Two flashlights in the house, and one in my emergency pack in the car.

Two space blankets in the car emergency kit.

Two dozen cans of food.

Six boxes of rice milk.

One battery operated candle.

A supply of AA and D batteries.

Little frozen food in my refrigerator.

Things I need to do:

Replace the water in eight containers in my garage. You’re supposed to replaced stored water every six months.

Update the food and water in my car emergency kit.

Get my fireplace insert repaired. Buy wood for it.

Figure out places where I can go to get warm.

Check with Comcast to see if their phone service will last for more than a few hours when the power goes out.

Keep my cell phone charged so if the power goes out, I can use it for a day or two.

Find out how long the water in the hot water tank will stay warm.

Buy more canned food. Keep a supply of crackers.

Get my fire extinguishers updated.

Get my important papers and photos in a grab-and-go box.

I feel so sorry for the people on the East Coast who are still without electricity after Hurricane Sandy. Two weeks, it must be terrible.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..